For the homeowner it seems that various combinations of black electrical tape, duct tape, masking tape and shoe-goo are the solution to most plumbing leaks. My friend Charles Buell believes that, given the choice, masking tape is superior. Personally, I go with the duct tape. Seriously, it seems
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09/11/2009
Especially in rental properties, I see many space heaters. They might be electric or gas. Such a heater, in a two-story home, is shown below. I said that this heater was in a two-story home. Guess what? That is the ONLY heater in the home. That is defined as insufficient heat. For a home to be
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09/10/2009
Recently I wrote about the need for heat in every livable room in a house. Sometimes, in older houses, that was just never planned for or taken into account. Then you have the new houses. When I have the time, I take my laser thermometer and check each supply register as the furnace is running.
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09/10/2009
There it is again. The photo you see below has to be one of the most cited issues found at home inspections in the northwest. What you are looking at is the B-bent for a gas furnace. That B-vent is in contact with the loose fill insulation. A B-vent requires one-inch of clearance from flammables
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09/10/2009
Have you ever been in an attic? Some attics are totally unremarkable. Or, if the builder put that white loose fill insulation in the attic of a new home, it looks like you are gazing out over a snow bank. The attic below, unfortunately, is more the kind of attic that gets the attention of the ho
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09/10/2009
It seems wrong to be saying that water is the enemy. People in some parts of the world and this country are in desperate need of water. Even here in Bellingham, we have some rivers that are looking pretty low right now. But, when it comes to the health and well-being of homes in this region, wa
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09/09/2009
When there is an unconditioned crawl space under a home, the most common situation in Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest, it is important that the vapor barrier be effective. For a vapor barrier to be effective -- keeping evaporation from the earth under the plastic -- it must cover all of the
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09/08/2009
It seems like, unless it is a new house, I always find problems with exhaust fans. Even homes that are only a few years old often vent them into the attic. The theory -- very wrong -- is that the attic venting will take care of the moisture. This might not be a big deal in a half bath, with a s
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09/08/2009
Vinyl siding is very popular in Bellingham and Whatcom county. Often I will see homes with vinyl siding and it looks to be in good shape. One place the inspector really needs to look carefully though is at decks and patios -- any place where barbecues or equipment might be stored. This photo is
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09/08/2009
Many years ago, when I was raised in another state, I was at Oakwood elementary school and the instructor told me that, throughout modern history, two names are more famous than those of past Presidents and world leaders. One of those two names was a fictional character -- Sherlock Holmes. The o
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09/07/2009
